KARACHI, March 7: The country can be emancipated from present form of martial law, not through another martial law but only through a popular movement that could also pave the way for a sovereign parliament , supremacy of constitution and democratic dispensation.

This was stated by MMA chief Qazi Hussain Ahmad during an interaction with newspaper editors and senior journalists at a luncheon meeting at the Idara Noor-i-Haq here on Monday.

Flanked by Prof Ghafoor Ahmad and Dr Mairajul Huda Siddiqui, the Qazi Hussain exchanged views with them on the MMA movement, 'million march' scheduled for March 20 and a strike call against price spiral.

"The movement launched by the MMA is also aimed at creating awareness among people and convincing them to join in the million march as a manifestation of their sentiments as well as power."

Responding to different questions, he said that in its bid to impose foreign culture, the government was pursuing secular policies. The joint marathon race by men and women, Basant festival, Valentine's Day and promotion of a particular Asian culture through media all are negation of the existence of Pakistan, according to the MMA leader who claimed that establishment of the Aga Khan Education Board was also meant for enforcing secular culture.

"The world powers and India are striving to see that Pakistan lives as a small country of the region and Gen Pervez Musharraf has become instrumental in this conspiracy. He has become US ally in Afghanistan and Iraq and is now ready to side with the US against Iran by declaring Pakistan as a 'neutral' country."

Qazi Hussain Ahmad was of the view that there was no moral or political justification for Pakistan to declare itself neutral in a situation where US was set to subject Iran to aggression. Siding with the US in the matter, he added, also would amount to treason with the Ummah.

He stated that the US was tightening noose around us over our nuclear programme, but Gen Musharraf, instead of safeguarding our national interests, was continuing to serve the US interests.

While people of Pakistan were unhappy over all these developments, they were not aware of the appropriate means to express their sentiments. Therefore, he said, the MMA was striving to unite and organize people against the rulers and intensifying its mass contact drive.

In reply to a question, he said that the army was not trained in politics and, as such, there was a need to restrict their role to their constitutional purview. Similarly, he said, there is also a need to make our politicians realize that instead of looking towards the US and Establishment for coming to power, they should have confidence in masses.

He said that people had to play a fundamental role in the struggle of a new political culture based on the supremacy of constitution and parliament. The MMA, he added, was going ahead with its struggle for a true democratic culture in the country and those who wanted to join Condo Lisa Rice, Bush or the Establishment, were bound to lose respect in the eyes of masses.

The MMA chief said that an agreement could be reached with Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy on the three points on which there was a consensus between the two alliances.

These points are: a) Pervez Musharraf is not acceptable as president or army chief, nor any other general would be acceptable as president; b) Constitution is to be restored to its position of Oct 12, 1999; and c) Supremacy of the parliament.

He said that in the NWFP, people had voted for MMA and victory of its candidate in the recent by-election reflected the continued support. "We are working in that province cautiously in order to avoid a confrontation between tribal people and the armed forces which will be against our national interest."

Qazi Hussain Ahmad, responding to a questioner, said that the MMA was unanimous in taking the decision of not attending the meeting of the National Security Council as the NSC in its present form was against the interest of democracy.

He said that the JUI-F had in the past also asked for a review of the decision and its request had been discussed. Its point of view would again be taken into consideration, he said, making it clear that the MMA, however, had reservations.

Explaining the MMA's position, he said that prime minister should be the NSC chairman and only the defence minister should represent the army. The NSC purview, he added, should be limited to defence matters only.

The MMA chief expressed dissatisfaction over the overall situation in the country. "There is political and economic chaos; Balochistan situation is worsening with incidents of sabotage taking place every now and then; the government has taken a U-turn on Kashmir." Earlier, Dr Mairajul Huda Siddiqui welcomed the guests.